The Oregon Sportsman 



Volume II JUNE 1914 Number 6 



RAISING GAME FOR THE MARKET. 



In many parts of Oregon there are uncultivated places that 

 might be used to good advantage in raising deer, elk and other 

 wild animals. There is no reason why deer or elk cannot be 

 handled much the same as domestic animals. According to the 

 tagging law, which was passed at the last session of the legisla- 

 ture, deer or elk, when raised in captivity, can be sold in market 

 the same as a sheep or a calf is sold. 



A deer recently sold in one of the Portland markets accord- 

 ing to the tagging law attracted wide attention and brought a 

 good price. It also was the cause of a large number of complaints 

 coming from hunters who did not know of the tagging law, but 

 who thought the game laws were being violated. 



A very profitable industry might well be started, especially 

 through the Willamette Valley, in rearing game birds for market 

 and for breeding purposes. A farmer who can make a success at 

 raising turkeys can readily raise Chinese pheasants. The demand 

 for pheasants is very large. Oregon is known throughout the 

 United States as the home of the Chinese pheasant. Orders for 

 these birds come from far and wide. For table use the Chinese 

 pheasant brings a price of $1.50, while a chicken of the same size 



will sell for half the amount. For breeding purposes these birds 

 retail from $4.00 to $6.00 per pair. 



The demand for Chinese pheasants and other game birds is 

 much greater each year than can be supplied. If some of our 

 energetic farmers could only be interested in the matter, there is 

 no reason why our markets and hotels could not be supplied with 

 pheasants throughout the year just as they are supplied with 

 chickens. 



It is a very easy matter to govern the marketing of these 

 birds by the tagging system and their rearing in large numbers 

 would mean an attractive resource to Oregon. ., 



Pag-e one 



